Black Gate Presents

Ultan Conlon

An Taibhdhearc
8pm Saturday, November 4th
Tickets: €20

Doors at 7:30pm

Irish singer-songwriter ULTAN CONLON anchored his distinctive sound and sensibility in Los Angeles, California with Grammy Award- winning David Garza (Fiona Apple) who produced Ultan’s 5th record, The Starlight Ballroom. It drops on September 13th 2023.

8 of Ultan’s singles have topped the RTE Radio 1 Airplay charts with current evocative & rhapsodic single “Paradise Lane” from his new album residing in the RTE recommends list for three consecutive weeks.

Mary Coughlan grabbed & recorded Ultan’s songs “Hall of Mirrors” and “The Lumberjack” while John Martyn was touched by & subsequently recorded “Really Gone”. Many other Irish & international artists have rubberstamped Ultan’s virtuosity by covering his songs.

The Starlight Ballroom tour takes in 5 venues across Ireland ranging from Leitrim to Cork. Ultan & his world-renowned band - Alan Kelly (Eddi Reader), Jimmy Higgins (Christy Moore & The Stunning) & Miceal O'Connor (Sharon Shannon) will animate and fascinate audiences with polish & a musical aplomb rarely seen today.

The Starlight Ballroom, a Ballroom of Romance in Westport Co Mayo, opened its doors in the early 60s, hosted international & national acts of the day who thrilled thousands of dance goers until it closed in 1981.

Roy Orbison played The Starlight in 1969 and Ultan’s song, The Starlight Ballroom, takes in and ponders the night in question. With The Starlight Ballroom in tow Conlon headed for Los Angeles and with the aid of David Garza created a world of characters and misfits (The Old Songs) and dreamers (Susie Gossip). Whether it be an isolated begrudger (All Sewn Up) or a scorned lover living in the past (Hurts Like Heaven) or a young girl cycling the gravel dirt-roads of 1960’s Ireland looking for a fantastical place (Paradise Lane) - they all converge in “The Starlight Ballroom”.

Ultan’s performances have been described as a “rare treat filled with original music, beguiling backstories & loud laughter which make for a wonderful, uplifting evening”